The Sh*t No One Tells You

01Parenting's tougher than you think

So, you're about to become a parent, huh? You've probably been bombarded with images of adorable, giggling babies and parents who look like they've just stepped out of a spa. Well, buckle up, because Dawn Dais is here to give you the real lowdown on what it's like to have a newborn. Let's start with the title of her book, which is a pretty clear sign that she's not about to sugarcoat anything. Forget about those perfect Instagram photos of babies sleeping peacefully. The reality is more like a never-ending rollercoaster of sleep deprivation, dirty diapers, and trying to figure out why your baby is crying...again. Dais isn't just pulling this stuff out of thin air. She's speaking from experience. She's been in the trenches, dealing with the physical exhaustion of caring for a newborn, the emotional rollercoaster of dealing with a baby's constant crying, and the mental gymnastics of trying to figure out what's wrong when your baby is upset. These are the things that people often forget to mention when they're telling you how wonderful parenthood is. But here's the thing. Every parent's journey is unique. Sure, there are some common challenges that most new parents face, but each baby is different and brings their own set of trials. So, if your experience doesn't match up with what you've read in parenting books or heard from other parents, don't sweat it. There's no 'one-size-fits-all' approach to parenting. Dais wrote her book to give new parents a reality check. She wants you to know that it's okay to feel overwhelmed, it's okay to not have all the answers, and it's okay to admit that parenting is hard. You're not alone in your struggles and it's perfectly normal to find the first year of your baby's life challenging. In a nutshell, "I had no idea it was going to be this hard" is a sentiment that many new parents can relate to. Parenthood is a tough gig, no doubt about it. But as Dais reminds us, it's a journey that you're more than capable of handling, even if it doesn't always feel that way.